COVID-19 changed black churches forever; some are desperately trying to return to the world that was, while others are bravely entering new and untested territory.
A 2021 report in the Washington Post entitled “Churches are changing because of the Corona Virus” showed how the virus changed the worship styles and ministries of black churches across the nation.
For nearly two years or more between 2020 and 2022, black churches survived on “life support.” In-person worship disappeared, reliance on technology increased, and many outreach ministries were abandoned.
Coming out of COVID, many churches are still struggling to get back to pre-COVID worship attendance levels; local black congregations are no exception.
Locally, most black congregations literally closed all in-person worship and gatherings for nearly two years. Ironically, white congregations followed CDC rules about spacing and hand washing but generally resisted the government’s calls to close.
Churches that had technology in place found it easier to ride out the storm. Some used internet platforms such as Facebook and YouTube live streams, telephone conferencing, robocalls, church apps, and Zoom to keep congregations in tact and maintain a sense of community.
Some local churches hosted parking lot worships in which preachers preached outside and members sat in their cars to listen to words of hope.
Nearly all local black congregations used a combination of Zoom and telephone conferences for Bible studies. Many pastors preached sermons from their living rooms over Zoom or Facebook Live with virtual backgrounds to make it appear that they were in the church building.
Most collected their offerings through Givify, Cash App, Zell, and other electronic means.
Many churches survived, but many traditions and ministries have become casualties of COVID-19 and will probably never be restored despite efforts to return to the way they were.
After Covid:
–In-person attendance has increased, but few report that they have returned to pre-COVID numbers.
–Many have abandoned in-person Bible studies and are now exclusively using Zoom and other methods.
–Many Sunday schools are struggling to restart after abandoning in-person children’s instruction for nearly three years.
–In-person worships average about 75 minutes in length; those that are longer find an increasing number of members arriving late or leaving early.
–Church offerings now routinely depend on Cash App, Zell, and other electronic methods rather than in-person offering trays.
–Much of the pageantry in worship has been eliminated, including choirs marching down the aisle, colorful “Sunday Clothes,” and long announcements and introductions of visitors.
–Many local churches no longer print bulletins but use big screens and phone technology instead.
–Many youth ministries that focus on elementary-aged children were abandoned during COVID and are now struggling to resume.
–Church vans that once reached out to those without transportation are picking up fewer congregants if they run at all.
For the most part, black churches locally are still in a semi-survival mode, with less emphasis on outreach to the poor or responding to general community issues.
Obviously, there are exceptions. There are a few of the over 170 black church congregations in Monroe-West Monroe that are operating full steam. They were not stopped by COVID and were “rolling along” at a steady pace.
Churches operating on “this side” of COVID are adapting to new ways and expectations.
Preachers still preach the gospel, but those who hear it don’t assemble in a building; many “assemble” in virtual chat rooms while sitting in their living rooms.
There is still singing, but only a few have maintained the big church choirs dressed in the long robes of the past. Praise teams and ensembles are the order of the day.
The ministry for black churches after COVID offers the same challenges that Israel faced when they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. They had never built houses, planted crops, purchased or made clothes or shoes, held a job, or worried about food. In the Promised Land, they faced new challenges and had to learn new ways to survive. The future arrived, but many were not ready.
Some wanted to go back to the wilderness or even back to Egypt the way it was.
Joshua invited those who wanted to go back to do so, but he decided to retool, learn new methods, and learn how to live on this side of Jordan.
Likewise, on this side of COVID, the church must be relevant to a new generation that is preparing to live in the metaverse, attending worships from the comfort of their homes, singing, praising, and giving in modular virtual churches, connecting through church apps, tracking music, and participating in holographic activities.
The message will be the same, but the old tools won’t work in the metaverse. Facebook has changed its company name to “Meta” because they see it coming. Apple and Microsoft have introduced tools to access the metaverse. Our children are ready; their games are already in the metaverse, and they live there for hours each day, often into the wee hours of the night.
Joshua accepted the challenge to retool. He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Maybe Joshua’s conclusion is the unpreached sermon for the Black Church after COVID.
